The Chronic Cough Enigma: How to recognize neurogenic and reflux related cough

I cannot say enough good things about this book. THANK YOU, Dr. Jamie A. Koufman!!!!!! I have had a chronic cough over 6 years and no physician has been able to figure out how to treat me. I've been allergy tested, ENT's have used the scope of nasal passages to look down throat and at vocal cords, pulmonary function tests, chest xrays, chest CT, put on advair and albuterol even though I did not test positive for Asthma (which did nothing to help the cough and actually made it somewhat worse in trying these options) and was finally recommended to go to a acupuncturist. The acupuncturist treated me several times and recommended a combination of: Health Concerns Lily Bulb Formula and Xanthium Relieve Surface. I took these 3x3 each per day for the first couple weeks and within a month, my cough had become subdued, though had not gone away entirely. I was just so thankful something was working. The thing is, with these supplements you should alternate using and not using them. When I didn't use them, my cough returned.

Some further history: I've been on acid reflux medications since 2003. I've purchased a tempurpedic bed so I can raise the head each night. I have changed my diet. I stopped eating hours before bedtime. I stay away from spicy foods. My cough has been so violent at times that I've vomited, coughed up blood, choked on froth my coughing has created and my voice goes very hoarse after coughing, if I can talk at all. If I breath too heavy, it can trigger a coughing fit. So, I have been shallow breathing for 6 years and it has caused shortness of breath. I've dislocated my TMJ during the early stages of this cough when it was super violent. I sometimes choke for no reason. I feel my food is not all going down, but gets stuck. I am constantly clearing my throat.

I have been telling the physicians that it's in my throat. I can feel a tightness and if I yawn, turn my head side to side or up and down, it brings on a coughing fit. When I talk on the phone, I cannot get through a conversation without violent coughing. I even feel it more on the left side than the right.

After reading the beginning chapters of this book, I thought back to when this all began and I had a sinus infection I tried to treat myself and it ended up turning into a bacterial infection in the throat, in which I needed two rounds of antibiotics to get rid of. When I went to an ENT in the past year, she did a look down with the scope and commented that something was different about my left vocal cord, though other than that, everything looked normal. She even sent a normal report to my physician without mentioning the vocal cord. In this book, it talks about this and I said, "Hallelujah, someone has figured this out!!!"

So, if you've had a chronic cough with no relief, get this book!!! I personally recommend the supplements from Health Concerns if you can't get into a physician or treated for this debilitating condition. People just think... "Oh a cough, no big deal." It's a huge deal to those that suffer from it because it alters your entire life.

This book pretty much saved my life. I've been working as an RN doing some 12-hour shifts, and by the end of the 12 hours I had laryngitis, sounded like I was sick and was coughing or throat-clearing constantly. I felt like a complete nut for complaining about a lump in my throat and having my surgeon do an EGD and tell me that my throat was fine. I read this book, took the tests inside it, and figured out what I would need to do to get better. I bought a copy of the book for my doctor, showed her the tests results, and requested that we follow Dr. Koufman's protocol. It's been about 6 weeks, and last week I took my last Protonix pill (was taking it twice a day). It took less than a week for my cough to disappear. I was, like many people, having problems with both reflux and neurogenic cough. I did also get her book, Dropping Acid, which helped with getting off the Protonix. I've bought 5 more copies of "The Chronic Cough Enigma" to share with the health care providers both at the hospital and in the community. THANK YOU, DR. KOUFMAN! I can't say enough good things about this book.

I suffered from silent reflux for years. Coughing fits that would choke me until I couldn't breathe, and constant discomfort and throat clearing that was embarrassing in the day and kept me from sleeping at night. My doctors had no solution except permanent acid blocker meds that I was addicted to and didn't even work. I was a mess. I read and followed the program and discovered what I can and cannot eat. I successfully weaned myself off of the prilosec & pantoprozole. Now my symptoms are in my control. You CAN treat this condition through diet and lifestyle. It takes some effort and commitment but is 100% worth it!

I've been suffering a multitude of sinus problems since December 2013 which turned out to be the result of acid reflux. I think I've gone through many stages from a "hell-ified" experience with terrible terrible post nasal drip, chronic coughing, no sleep for months/weeks at a time...on top of that I ended up being hospitalized for severe anemia due to fibroids....so my long journey with this acid reflux crap has taken me through crazy, overwhelming stages in addition to the "female issues". After damaging results after seeing an ENT in the beginning stages, I said "F" it, I'm taking matters in my own hands!" On top of that he didn't even appreciate the fact that I found alternative ways that actually helped me, instead he told me to get back on the medicine he prescribed, and reluctantly I did and it made matters so much worse! But I have to say that through my diligence and desire to fix the problem I am 90% better since taking things on into my own capable hands....recently my chronic cough has finally started subsiding and I'm starting to get more sleep...THANK GOD! Through this book and the Dropping Acid Diet book I have learned quite a bit. I totally appreciate Dr. Koufman's approach and all of her research over the years....she is THE TRUTH! I've recommended both books to family and friends on my Facebook page. Sooooo, on with the cloning PLEASE, we need more doctors like her!!

Anyone who has been diagnosed with asthma, or has troubling coughing or other breathing issues should read this book--and their doctors should read it, too. I've had a chronic cough since March after being diagnosed with asthma last year and having a severe upper-respiratory virus last summer, and it kept getting worse and worse despite all the cough syrups, allergy testing, nasal sprays, etc. The doctors seemed at a loss as to what to do, or how to diagnose it. I eliminated gluten, soy, dairy, nuts, chocolate and sugar as I found those all impacted the quality of my breathing negatively. However the intensity of the cough was taking over my life, and my husband's life too. It wasn't until I found and read this book that progress towards regaining my health started. I basically guided my specialists (my general doctor, an ENT, an allergy/asthma doctor, and a pulmonologist) through the testing recommended in the book, made my own dietary changes, requested the acid controllers recommended, and voila.... it's not gone yet, but the difference in two months is nothing short of amazing. My own theory from some Internet research, that there is also neurogenic component, was backed up by the book, and that's the next issue that will be tackled (nothing happens quickly in the medical world). Basically, the information in Dr Koufman's book gave me my life back. Can't recommend it highly enough.

If you read Dr. Koufman's "Dropping Acid" book, you won't need this. Much of the book is taken up by appendices and the index. There is much info about coughing and its etiology, but little of value, at least for me. I suffer from LPR. In short, if you bought her original book(s), you don't need this one unless your ONLY symptom is undiagnosed coughing.

This book and her book "Dropping Acid-The Reflux Diet," are the only books or information from the internet I've found that make sense. "The Chronic Cough Enigma," is even more enlightening. I'm on the second week of the Induction Reflux Diet and it's helping without a doubt. I've been following the direction of my doctor and my GI doctor and not making any real headway at all. I've been miserable! This is the best I've felt!

I had been MISdiagnosed with chronic asthma for 4 miserable years. When I think of the damage to my throat, esophagus, lungs, and larynx......This is heavy duty acid people! We have gotten so used to the term indigestion and to take a pill for as long as you suffer from it, and it doesn't cure it!

I can only hope this book would change our fractured healthcare system, but it's so entrenched! I'm having to treat myself, because I can get a diagnosis, but no real help on how to get better. This book is my chance. Thank you Dr. Koufman!

Here's my review:
1) Chronic Cough -- "One of the most common reasons for people to seek medical attention." --Really? So something so pervasive as cough and is so epidemic, yet hardly anyone knows how to diagnose or treat it? We should surely all head for the hills if this is the case. I am a chronic cougher so I can commisserate with anyone out there that is frustrated by this, but really. The most sought after medical complaint? Not buyin it.
2) "Most cough patients have seen a dozen or more specialists." --I do feel bad for folks that are frustrated and can't seem to get any answers from their physicians. I have never in my life encountered this problem. Now a lot of the time my frustration is because they can't really do much but I don't blame them for that. IDK. I grew up and live between Stanford University and San Francisco. I'm all set. We don't have crappy doctors. Maybe it's location, location, location. No disrespect to anyone going through a frustrating experience with said physician(s).
3) "The ideas and approach presented in this book have already been rejected by the medical mainstream." --WOW! I'm all for trailblazers but she's as much as admitting that this is hit or miss. If it was a hit, wouldn't the entire medical community be supporting her? I always have to laugh at people whose entire professional contemporaries don't believe a word they say, but we're supposed to. That's because we're frustrated and in pain so we're vulnerable. I also think it's arrogant for a professional to think that mainstream professionals are misguided and don't know how to do their life's work. Not a good look for Dr. Koufmann.
4) "My goal is to empower frustrated patients to "self-diagnose", but even after diagnosis, it may be difficult to get appropriate help." --What does that mean exactly? We should try to diagnose ourselves through this book? We don't get the appropriate help because they don't have much outside of medication. And again, that's hit or miss. That's what she does, as well. Medicates and changes diets. Just like any other doctor.

This was just the first chapter. I only skimmed the rest. She does a lot of testing for chest problems, cancer and such. Any ENT will stick a probe down your nose and tell you if you have cancer and x-rays, etc. are warranted. He/she will also advise whether to see a GI specialist. Changing your diet is hit or miss. She doesn't even go into her diet specifics. Gotta buy that book separately. I suggest anyone interested in this book or others written by this doctor to look at her youtube interview. She actually CLEARS HER THROAT during the interview. Her voice is raspy and somewhat hoarse. Now that takes nerve.

Here is what I do:

1) Yoga poses that are specifically for indigestion. In particular, TVA or transverse abdominal exercises are phenomenal. Proper breathing is required for these exercises and oxygen in and CO2 out is what helps "alkalize" blood, hence digestion is easier.
2) DO NOT OVEREAT. This is the biggest one of all. Stop eating when 80% full. Maybe take in small meals to adjust to that type of fullness.
3) Obviously giving up junk food. Food in cans, boxes, etc. Whole foods should be stressed and the goal should be 100% of the time.
4) Late night eating is out.
5) Obviously if you know of a food allergy, don't eat it. If you don't know, you could try eliminating product by product to see if anything works.

Dr. Koufmann does make a valid point about getting the larynx to relax and heal over enough time (2-4 weeks) to try and stop the madness and perhaps even be able to eat some of these forbidden foods again. But that's the only valid point and it's not a cure. You would need to be diligent and never slip up. Once you do, it's back. Same for diabetes or anything else. You can certainly go into remission for most ailments but you will never be cured.

I wish everyone good luck with this and anyone that this book has helped, I tip my hat to. I'm glad you have found success.

I'd give this book and Dr. Koufman 10 stars if I could. This book is one of the best purchases I've ever made. Many thanks to Dr. Koufman for her innovative and significant contributions to her field.

My preexisting LPRD was greatly helped by her earlier book, Dropping Acid. This book contains some newer information, including discussion of PVVN which I'd never heard of, and which many healthcare providers including ENTs haven't, either. Once I had the information in hand and a smart, curious doctor willing to learn and help me experiment with Dr. Koufman's prescription recommendations, my improvement was immediate with no side effects and easily achieved using an older, inexpensive generic drug.

P.S. Unsolicited asides, not about the book itself: 1) I find the best local Rx price at goodrxdotcom, recommended to me by another provider. 2) I follow Dr. Koufman's recommendation for alkaline water and am very happy with the EHM ULTRA pitcher and filters I found on Amazon.

I have suffered from an undiagnosed cough for almost 4 years which has made any semblance of a normal life impossible. After 3 years it became so bad I found myself living like a hermit because being in public had become unbearably uncomfortable since the coughing was so intense it caused dry heaves! This book crossed my path and right away i knew life had given me a gift. Ms. Koufman has researched the mystery cough so thoroughly and explains the various causes in understandable language; suggests certain tests be done that I had never heard of before nor have the doctors. I have now approached my numerous doctors and have just begun to get the tests done that may help me know which direction to take. I have followed her suggestions and have found that I have made a 40% improvement ... once the tests give results, then there are other suggestions she offers for resolving the problem for good! She has earned my trust. I only wish she were close to where I live as I would queue up to be able to see her as a patient. I have gone from giving up on my life and becoming a solitary woman who was exhausted from 24 hours a day coughing to a woman with tremendous hope about my future.

I suggest this for anyone who has a cough that is interrupting their life and which no doctor can diagnose. I also suggest her other book entitled, "Dropping Acid, The reflux Diet Cookbook and Cure. Invaluable information.